The full committee's vice chairman, Rep. John Duncan, Jr. (R-TN), will chair the "Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation." Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) will serve as the panel's ranking member. By the rules of the committee adopted at the beginning of Congress, the special panel will serve for a period of six months, beginning with its first scheduled hearing on April 24, 2013.

"Given that freight transportation cuts across many modes, this panel will play a critical role in providing recommendations on how to improve the efficient movement of goods between highways, ports, inland waterways, railroads, air carriers and pipelines," said Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA). "I am confident Chairman Duncan and the members of the panel will provide the committee with valuable insights for the improvement of freight transportation and our nation's economy."